The baton

The baton is on a relay journey around the world to spread a message of conscience for the armed forces.

It is a non - political message just to let members of the armed forces know there are people thinking of them while they do a difficult job.

The baton was designed by Alan Rowe MBE, pictured here with me and two ladies who ran the City of Sunderland Half Marathon.

One of the ladies lost her husband on active service, leaving her with two young children.

The baton is made from the handle of a stretcher that was used in battle. It carried wounded and dieing soldiers. It probably had blood on it more than once.

I was given the honour of carrying it 200 metres to the finish of the half marathon. As I did so Alan was relying its story, which I duly relayed to the crowd.

The experience was as moving as carrying the Olympic Torch in 2012.

You can read more at www.thebaton.co.uk